We are conducting a series of extension and research activities to slow the spread and reduce the economic and environmental impact of exotic crane flies in turfgrass habitats and other susceptible systems of the northeastern U.S.

Turfgrass covers 3.5 million acres in NY and is a $5.1 billion industry. In 2004, 2 species of exotic crane flies – highly injurious to turf – were detected in western NY. This was the first report of Tipula paludosa, the European crane fly, and Tipula oleracea, the common crane fly, in the eastern U.S. Both species are native to Europe, but have become firmly established in North America after their accidental introduction. Larvae inhabit the top layer of the soil, where they feed underground on roots and aboveground on foliage of their host plants. They will attack grasses across the full spectrum of management intensity, from golf course greens to home lawns, including sod farms, grass-seed fields and pastures, and certain other horticultural crops.
Because of their high capacity for outbreak, the arrival of any new exotic is of considerable agricultural and ecological concern. Unless we build awareness and establish safeguards to curtail their range expansion, the movement of sod, container stock, and other materials could occasion spread of this exotic species locally and regionally, across NY and the North Central, New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Although limited to Erie and Niagara counties in 2004, by 2006 T. paludosa was established in 4 counties of western NY and T. oleracea in 10. In addition, T. oleracea has been detected on Long Island, representing a point of separate introduction and establishment.

Since NY and the Northeast have no experience with crane fly pests, we are working to alert and arm the susceptible agricultural sectors. These stakeholders require information on how to detect, identify, and monitor for the presence of invasive crane flies, and they need the tools to suppress populations if they become problematic. In order to establish control recommendations, we are conducting a series of field efficacy trials to assess opportunities for their curative and preventive control with a range of insecticidal products. These are done in cooperation with multiple partners from commercial industry, golf courses, lawn care companies and municipalities. In 2007 we disseminated information on invasive crane flies in 16 extension presentations that reached approximately 1191 individuals through 1318 contact hours, including golf course superintendents, lawn care specialists, Master gardeners, extension agents, sod farmers, and other stakeholders in the green industry. Results are also being disseminated through a variety of other means, including (since 2004) 3 invited and 2 contributed scientific presentations, an electronic fact sheet, 2 published and 2 submitted refereed scientific journal articles, 1 book chapter, 4 published and 3 submitted non-refereed research publications, 3 trade journal articles and yearly updates to Cornell’s Pest Management Guidelines for Commercial Turf.

So far, the impact of this program has been to build statewide and regional awareness about invasive crane fly pests. The stakeholders present at extension programming are now better equipped to diagnose and interpret potential crane fly problems and better able to choose and target control products. As additional information transfer is combined with the results of applied research, the spread of these unwanted invasives will be held more and more in check by a prepared and informed industry, and thereby pose a smaller barrier to the business of turfgrass management. By being aware and prepared, we can reduce the severity of crane fly outbreaks, leading to one less burden on pest management practitioners, one less reason to apply insecticides, and one less strain on tight economic budgets and sensitive environments.